What is a Small Group?

Christian Life Assembly has many different small groups. A small group is a group of people (between 4 and 12 persons) that meet regularly. A small group can be a:

Task group - choir, worship, media, creative team, a hobby

Mentoring groups - invitation only groups that are intended for specific training in the Christian life and/or leadership

Accountability Groups - Groups that hold each other accountable to walk in the Christian life. These are need specific.

Covenant Groups - These are closed groups that are intended to create deeper intimacy among the individuals that meet.

Study Groups - These groups meet to study a specific subject or theme

Gender Specific Groups - Groups that meet for women only or men only

Age Specific Groups - Youth, College, Seniors, Young Families

General Groups - Mixed genders and ages

Small groups allow people to know others and be known by others in the body. CLA small groups are the place where people in our body can learn more of the word of God and its practical application, receive prayer for their personal needs, get to know other people in the body, learn to reach out to others and grow in leadership and character.

The theme of Christian Life Assembly is, "Touching God's Heart, Touching Our World". The CLA small group mission statement reflects our theme.

The CLA Small Group Mission Statement is:

To connect people relationally, emotionally, and spiritually to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. To meet in groups of four to twelve for the purpose of growing in Christ likeness, allowing our hearts to care for one another; glorifying God and making disciples of all nations.

All small groups will have there own personality. No two groups are exactly the same nor should they try to be. Although not all groups are exactly the same they should have the same general focus:

• Upward Focus: Knowing God
• Inward Focus: Knowing each other
• Outward Focus: Reaching out to those who don't know Jesus
• Forward Focus: Raising up new leaders

These components allow our small groups flexibility to be effective, while at the same time achieving their goal and keeping unity of purpose throughout our small group ministry.

In order for CLA small groups to be effective in ministering to the people we suggest not having more than 12 persons attending the group. The more people that come the harder it is to keep the intimacy that is part of the small group. We can't get to know each other if some are able to hide in the group. When there are too many people in the group there are fewer chances for everyone to share. The goal of our small groups is to grow in Christ likeness and that can't happen if we are not real with each other and able to express our needs, our thoughts, and our opinions.

"Twelve not only sets the upper limit for meaningful relationships, but provides a non-threatening situation for those who are new to small group experiences... It is significant that Jesus chose twelve men to be in his group."

John Mallison

"The ideal number for good group dynamics and for caring and dialogue is somewhere between eight and twelve. Participation is much greater when you stay within those numbers."

Dave Galloway

What A Small Group Is Not

By Michael Mack

Sometimes we understand something better when we realize what it is not. The following constitutes erroneous thinking about the cell group:

Club Status

Although you might focus on a homogeneous group, remember that your cell must continue to grow and eventually multiply. Don't allow homogeneity to become an end in itself.

A Clique

Cell groups are wonderful because they move people into deep community. At the same time, we must always include others in our community since Christ has given us a commission to make disciples.

An Organization

This is a deadly trap. A cell group is a living organism rather than simply a nice way to organize the body of Christ. A cell needs to function as a living part of Christ's body.

Static

Cells in the human body that don't multiply will die. One small group guru told me "small groups are born to die." I disagree. I believe that cell groups are born to multiply. Yet, if a cell does not multiply, it will die, and for this reason, a small group must continually reproduce itself.

One Day a Week

The cell group is far more that another weekly meeting. It's a family. During the week, the members should pastor one another, care for one another, and befriend each other. I've discovered that cell members often look for each other during the Sunday celebration time and even sit together. In one cell church that I visited, each cell was encouraged to meet together after the Sunday morning service for fellowship, accountability, and to plan for the next week.

A Classroom

I visited one cell group in which the leader assumed the role as the Bible answer man. The meeting centered around the Bible guru (cell leader) who taught the unlearned (rest of cell members). The cell group leader, rather, is a facilitator/shepherd, who guides the lesson while stimulating others to share.

Just a Bible Study

Many equate cell groups with neighborhood Bible studies. While the lesson time in cell groups is based on God's Word, the focus is on the application of God's Word in a participatory atmosphere, rather than on someone teaching Biblical knowledge. Remember the exhortation of James 1:22, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves."

A Therapy Group

The cell group is not a psychoanalysis session. Healing occurs in the cell group through listening, empathy, and prayer. I believe in counseling sessions - but not in the cell group.

A Band of Renegades

Cell groups in the cell church participate in the local church. Those who attend the cell must also attend the celebration (or at least are constantly encouraged to attend the celebration) and those who attend the celebration attend the cell. I strongly discourage cell leaders from inviting people from other churches to attend the cell. I tell them it's unethical to pastor sheep from another congregation.

Prayer Group

While prayer plays an essential role in the cell group, it's not the only focus.

Task Group or Ministry Group

Nor is a cell group simply a task or ministry group (e.g. church board, ushers meeting before the service, etc.). In such small groups, it's very hard, if not impossible for evangelism to take place-unless of course your church allows non-Christians to join the church board!

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